Pickledilly News

Gregg Park will offer four indoor courts for open pickleball play on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM starting on January 22, 2019. In order to play Pickleball, people must be a member of Gregg Park or purchase a daily guest fee ($5). In order to purchase the guest fee, the guest must be with a member. To see the Gregg Park fee schedule, click here.

Paddles will be available for check-out at the front desk. Nets will also be stored at the front desk. Players should put the nets up and take them back down each day.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. People of all ages and skill levels are taking up the game and enjoying the fun of friendly competition. Pickleball is similar to doubles tennis, but on a smaller court. Players armed with a paddle hit a perforated plastic ball over the net. It's easy for beginners to get started and have fun right away. Experienced players enjoy a fast-paced, competitive game.

Steve Miner is our local USA Pickleball Association ambassador. He will be teaching a free introductory pickleball class on Tuesday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. at the Edgefield Town Gym. If you're interested, please sign up by contacting Steve Miner or by using the sign up link on this web page:

The schedule for drop-in pickleball is every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. We have three indoor courts. Beginners are welcome. Equipment is provided at the gym. There is no charge. We will organize the courts by skill level. Please sign up in advance so that we know who's coming.

The schedule for February clinics at Odell Weeks has been posted on the calendar: To reserve a spot in a clinic, please call the Odell Weeks front desk at 803-642-7631. Payment of $15.00 per person must be made at the front desk prior to the class.

Wojciech Adamek, Grace Vance, and Mo Garcia will also be available for private or group lessons. Please schedule these by contacting Wojciech (wademek97@aol.com), Grace (grace467@icloud.com), or Mo (mog01@aol.com) directly. Indoor lesson times are listed on the calendar. Outdoor lessons may be scheduled for any agreed-upon time.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Andre Jamison, who left us much too soon on January 4th. He had such a kind spirit, always offering words of encouragement. He will be missed by many.

Andre's service will be Wednesday at 11:00 AM at New Life Church on Bobby Jones.

Fun was had by all at the Christmas Social on December 6th. The food was delicious and the holiday mood was made even brighter by the live music provided by Bill Wright on his saxaphone.

Debbie Tam and Kathie Robers were presented with their embroidered paddle covers for scoring 96% on the Rules Challenge. For anyone who missed this the first time, we will offer the challege again in January. (Detils will follow.)

Thank you to Barbara Burns and Pat Smith for all their work in setting up the beautiful decorations.

George Buggs has taken the initial steps in providing a two-hour pickleball clinic at Eustis Park in 2019. Via the Recreation Commission, the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department was informed of George's interest in expanding the game to the Northside community. The PRT Department supported George's idea and offered him use of Eustis Park's four pickleball courts.

A subcommittee was created to further this goal of a clinic for folks (students and seniors) who are currently unexposed to the game, or may know about it but have not tried it. Mr. Buggs desires to have the clinic on the same day the new senior/youth center at Eustis park is formally opened. George has arranged to provide pickleball paddles, free of charge, to all 24 participants. Chuck Buchanan has agreed to provide a free ball to each participant as well. Mrs. Yolanda Monroe, a professional instructor and avid player, from New Jersey, has agreed to provide instruction for the assembled group of participants. She may be assisted by another player. Mrs. Monroe attended the last pickleball tournament at Odell weeks.

We hope all can find the final date set is compatible with their schedules. More than a few community leaders have expressed interest in this project.